** Kansas based US combat medic dies during training exercise
** Texas enacts legislation giving spouses of LODD paramedics and other emergency workers death benefits for life
UNITED STATES NEWS
** A Kansas combat medic from Fort Riley is dead after a training accident in Texas Tuesday. WIBW News Now (Ryan Ogle/September 14) said Staff Sgt. Sean Devoy, 28, died in Fort Hood from a fall during a hoist training exercise. According to the news site, Devoy is the sixth Fort Riley soldier since July to have died. Three soldiers killed themselves, while a fourth was shot dead by police during a stand-off in Manhattan. Devoy, who hailed from Ballwin, Missouri, joined the US Army in 2010 and was a member of the Devil’s Brigade. He served three tours in Afghanistan and was awarded several commendations. Funeral services are pending.
** Surviving spouses of LODD paramedics and other emergency workers in Texas will now receive workers compensation death benefits for life. Spectrum News (Victoria Maranan/September 14) said the new state law that just took effect would apply even to spouses who remarry. According to the news site, only spouses who remarried before the law became active will be excluded from the legislation. Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas spokesman Charley Wilkinson said his organization supports the new approach. Wilkinson said it allows the families of LODDs to achieve some form of stability following the traumatic loss of a loved one.
